News

IRONMAN Japan at 85% Capacity in Three Days

Since the new IRONMAN venue in Hokkaido, Northern Japan was announced and registration opened, the triathlon community has acted fast. The event is now at 85 percent capacity after just three days.

The response to the reintroduction of IRONMAN Japan has been overwhelming and not just from locals. There has been a notable jump in numbers of international athletes from previous events.

From afar the feature icon of this event, Mount Yotei, could mislead athletes into thinking IRONMAN Japan will be a "hill fest." This could not be further from the truth; scenic and fast are the words we are hearing from the ground. If you are still undecided on whether or not to sign up, we can assure you, you need not be a mountain goat but the scenery may well take your breath away.

The swim in Lake Toya is in the cleanest lake of all of Japan. It will be wetsuit legal with temperatures expected to be between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius.

On the lollypop bike course, athletes will take in multiple views of the impressive Mount Yotei. With a maximum elevation of only 340 metres, the majority of the course offers rolling hills and some long straight flats – perfect if you are looking for a fast bike split.

The run takes athletes on a predominantly flat, two-loop course that will take athletes along the mostly tree-lined shore of Lake Toya.

1,700 places are available in this the inaugural year and there are 50 age group qualifying slots for Kona. IRONMAN Japan will be the first qualifier for the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship, scheduled for October 11th 2014, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.